TWO YOUNG NATURALISTS. 299 



the church leaning against a pillar, and I said to 

 myself below my breath : ' They were sailors, true 

 ones ! ' " 



He was silent for a moment, and then as if speaking 

 to himself again, he muttered 



" True ones ! " 



The three excursionists looked at him without 

 speaking, and while the cutter skimmed rapidly 

 along, sloping under her sails, two big tears rolled, 

 in silence down the wrinkled cheeks of the old 

 sailor. 



